A former high-flying banker is coaching start-ups on how to maintain a steady course.

Business guru David Mellor, author of the Captain to Crew guide series, advises entrepreneurs life is twice as hard without a mentor.

David, 60, of Horsham, said: “According to Sage, which surveyed more than 1,000 British companies, those who did not have professional mentoring were twice as likely to go bust within five years.”

The former investment banker with HSBC and Deutsche Bank launched a consultancy service in 2001 and is about to publish the second in a trilogy of books.

He recognises business is not always plain sailing with latest book, From Crew to Captain – A Privateer’s Tale, designed to help people who want to make money out of what they know.

David added: “Many SMEs seek help from a friend or relation who has no experience of what it’s like at the helm of a business.

“It’s a bit like setting sail across the Atlantic with just a dog for company.”